As the episode begins, Ross (Aidan Turner) and Demelza (Eleanor Tomlinson) take the kids for a stroll. They watch a carriage stroll by. It has London written on the side. They tell the kids that London is far away. Dwight (Luke Norris) tells Lord Falmouth (James Wilby) that Hugh (Josh Whitehouse) may not be able to run for election. Falmouth is not happy. He dismisses Dwight and rehires Dr. Choake (Robert Daws). A ceremony is held for Jago. Dwight and Caroline (Gabriella Wilde) arrive. Caroline tells them about her pregnancy. Tholly (Sean Gilder) and Emma (Ciara Charteris) show up as well. Tom Harry (Turlough Convery) harasses the Carne brothers.

He challenges Sam (Tom York) to a wrestling match. Emma promises to give herself to Sam if he beats Tom. Caroline and Demelza put together a plan to ensure that Hugh wins the election. Dr. Choake tries his primitive techniques on Hugh. At the pub, George (Jack Farthing) and Ross make a wager on the wrestling match. Ross agrees that the winnings will go to the local hospital. Caroline and Demelza invite Francis Basset (John Hopkins) and Falmouth to Caroline’s. They try to convince the men to cooperate with one another for a change. Ross helps Sam prepare for the wrestling match. Everyone comes together for a festival.

George and Elizabeth (Heida Reed) agree that Valentine should not mingle with the local boys. Choake tells Falmouth that he would like to try trepanation. Morwenna (Ellise Chappell) does her best to stay away from Ossie (Christian Brassington). The wrestling match begins. Sam wins the first round. Tom Harry begins cheating. He wins the second. In the third, Tom is gassed. Sam gets the better of him. Eventually, Tom tells Sam that he has already had Emma’s body. That convinces Sam to let Tom beat him. During the match, Dwight returns to Hugh. Choake is dismissed and Dwight’s treatments start again. Drake (Harry Richardson) speaks with Morwenna on the beach. Their conversation is cut short when Ossie interrupts.

George fires Tom Harry. Ross and Demelza visit Hugh. Demelza attempts to comfort Hugh. Dwight tells Ross that Hugh seems resigned. Falmouth requests to speak with Ross alone. He encourages Ross to take over as his candidate. George and Cary (Pip Torrens) try to visit Basset. They’re turned away. Hugh gives Demelza a note. Outside, Ross tells her about his opportunity to run against George. They both seem reluctant. George and Cary tell Elizabeth about their chance of winning the election. They believe that they’ve still got it in the bag. Ross gives Falmouth his demands before accepting his offer. Falmouth watches over Hugh. Ross finds the note from Hugh.

Demelza admits she is scared about the election. Ross tells her that he probably won’t win anyway so there is nothing to worry about. Emma speaks to Demelza and Drake about Sam. They tell her that she will have to take him and his religion or nothing at all. Ossie tells George about Ross running against him. Ross prepares for the election. Demelza is requested to join Hugh. Elizabeth believes she can sway some of the men voting. George seems upbeat about his chances. Dwight asks Ross why he decided to run. Ross admits it was a moment of madness. Demelza sits with Hugh. He wants her to give him hope. She admits that they can never have a relationship. Dwight and Ross speak with Harris Pascoe (Richard Hope) before the voting begins.

Cary gives a speech about George. Falmouth says a few words about Ross. The voting begins. Things go well for George until Basset votes for Ross. In the end, Ross wins by one vote. George rushes off angrily. Ross invites Falmouth to celebrate. At this time, he learns that Hugh has passed away. Ross and Dwight speak about Hugh. Emma catches up with Sam. She tells him that she is going away for a year. They’ll meet after that if their feelings have not changed. She also tells Sam that no mad has ever had her. Ossie has fun with a harlot. He runs into Rowella (Esme Coy) outside and she plays around with him. Ross returns home. Prudie (Beatie Edney) tells him that Demelza hasn’t returned. Prudie doesn’t believe that Ross should go after her.

When she returns home that night, Ross speaks with her about their old relationship. He pleads with her to tell him how she feels. She admits she developed a love for Hugh. Then, he breaks the news about the election. Ross explains that everything will change now. At the end of the episode, Ross boards the carriage for London.

 

Poldark Review

Although it was a little predictable, this was a good episode of Poldark. In the end, it seems that Hugh had nothing to fight for without Demelza by his side. I felt that he might have willed himself to death to some degree. I was hoping that Sam would stomp Tom Harry, but he relented in the end. Sam and Drake have been wonderful additions to the show. They’re stealing the spotlight often.

Ross managed to beat George in the election. There is a good chance that he is going to face a lot of blowback from here on out. That should be interesting. The episode was good. It scores a solid 8 out of 10. Catch up with previous recaps of Poldark right now!